Road accidents that happen in the blink of an eye can have lifelong consequences and that is why awards in such cases frequently run well into seven figures. In a case on point, a young man who was catastrophically injured in a collision after his car broke down on a trunk road that lacked a hard shoulder received more than £2 million in damages.
The man was crouching or standing at the front of his car, which was stranded in the road's nearside lane, when a van drove into the back of it. Together with numerous broken bones, he sustained multiple skull fractures and a diffuse brain injury. He has since made a remarkably good recovery but is likely to suffer permanent cognitive and behavioural impairment and will always require care and support.
After proceedings were launched on his behalf, the van driver's insurers denied liability for the accident, asserting that he had kept a proper lookout. They alleged that the man had himself been negligent. However, following negotiations, a final settlement of his claim was agreed for a lump sum of £2,156,572. In approving the settlement, the High Court praised both sides for reaching a well-judged compromise in the man's best interests.